T. L. Shackelford,
Disciple of Christ, Christian Life Coach & Author,
SendUsLord.com Founder and Administrator

“my Testimony is my Teaching” 

Scroll down, in order to view the following topics:

Why am I really here?
All I know is This!,
My Quotable Quote Inspiration,
To be in the Company of Angels,
Introduction,
Not a Great Start,
Going Dark,
I Wasn’t Quite Done Yet,
Still Not Done Yet, but I Think I Thought I Saw You,
How My Salvation Works,
Working Out My Own Salvation,
Living by Christ Crucified,
Living by Christ Risen and Ascended,
Deny Myself and Follow Him,
Seeking the Favor of God,
How My Resurrection Will Works
Keeping Watch for the Return of Christ,
The resurrection of the Saints and Coming of the Lord,

Why am I really here?“

Quote:  I do not know everything about how the Spirit moves, but I only know that He has. I have accepted the Words of Truth that Jesus told me, which were the same Words of Truth that His Father told him to say to me, and all were brought to me by Him.”   Sir Alden Pines

Now, I have victory over the second death through my savior, Jesus Christ. I deserved death for my sins, but He died in my place and gave me eternal life instead.  And, the Bible, which is the ‘Word of God’, is everything I need to guide me in this life. Out of thankfulness for what has been done for me, I consider myself to be a “Living Sacrifice” and a contributing member, in unity, with the “Body of Christ”. Through Jesus, WE will do the ‘Will of our Father’ together.

To Be In the Company of Angels 

Included: * To Judy, My Wife * To Iva, Her Mother * To Lynsie, Our Beloved “Miracle” Daughter * To Mothers on Mother’s Day ***

* To Judy, My Wife – As a 24 year-old fast pitch softball player, abusing the life I have been given, I was blessed to have my teammates introduce me to my wife, Judy. We were together from that time forward. She is a beautiful woman, it’s true, however, her grace-filled qualities are what I love most. God‘s goodness flows through her like a river.

1 Peter 3:1-5  “In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands (in your households only). Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hair styles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

* To Iva, Judy‘s Mother – Bringing up a godly girl like Judy took a real woman of God. Grandma Iva, the consummate prayer warrior succeeded with Judy. God‘s goodness was on full display. Without Saints like her, people like me would be nowhere.

Titus 2:4–5 “then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self–controlled and pure, to be busy at home, and to be kind.

* To Lynsie, Our Beloved “Miracle Daughter“ – My 37 year-old daughter has been blossoming into the image of her mother and grandmother. I look forward to having a granddaughter someday that will take her place in an incredible line of Godly women.

* To Mothers on Mother’s Day

Eve was the first woman and the first mother. Without a single role model or mentor, she paved the maternal way to become the “Mother of All the Living.”

Mary was the most honored mother in the Bible, the human mother of Jesus, who saved the world from its sin. Although she was only a young, humble, virgin, peasant, Mary accepted God’s will for her life. She was obedient.

Introduction 

Included: * I Opened the Door and Let Him In * Who Have I Been? * Who Am I Now? * Who Will I Become? * Praising His Name with My Life ***

God has been building the body of Christ as a bride for his son, Jesus. Every since Jesus, the Messiah, was rejected by the evil generation of Israel and the unforgivable sin was committed, the body of Christ has been growing through adding Old Testament Saints, as well as, born again believing Jews and Gentiles.

God has made a way for the redemption of his own since their fall in the garden. Sin that stood between God and mankind was taken by Jesus upon himself. God accepted His sacrifice as propitiation for our transgressions. We are forgiven and made righteous in Christ.

* “I Opened the Door and Let Him In”.  Jesus, thank you for my salvation, justification, sanctification, and eventual glorification. I will never stop thanking you.

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”

* Who Have I Been?

When I was born, I saw a bright light. It could’ve been a light in the hospital ceiling. It could’ve been something else, but I am attracted to the light.

Earlier times in my life, I thought about God. I heard about Him somewhere. I heard about the man Jesus also. They both seemed like people I could trust. I hope people trust me like that.

But, into my teenage years, I was very uncomfortable even saying the name of Jesus Christ. Why was that? I had no Christian friends. Why was that?

Ignorance and bad judgment prevailed. I had no Christian people for support as a young adult either. Why was that? Sorry, but all that time, I must have been listening to the father of all lies. Where were my Christian male role models?

Up until now, I was and am an enemy of God. My flesh cried out for its own evil desires, this world filled my eyes and ears with its useless wants, all the while, the evil one was trying to paint my soul black and turn me away from God. 

The image in my mind is of me bobbing on the ocean alone and without direction. All of a sudden, the ocean swells slowly, and a wave begins to form. There is a force that I cannot resist and it’s movement toward the shore is unavoidable. Now that I am on this ride, what do I do? There are jagged rocks on the right and a smooth safe beach straight ahead. The pace accelerates. The pathway is slipping away to the rocks and the panic grows. Do I have any solution to my dilemma?

 I had no chance, except for the goodness of God

* Who Am I Now?

How am I to go to this Heaven that I had heard about? The answer is found in the Bible. Better start reading and praying.

God brought Moses into the world to deliver the law. It did not provide a way for his people to earn entry into heaven, but only as the way for them to realize that earning it was impossible. Salvation is a free gift, not an obstacle course.

So, when the time had fully come, God sent his Son into the world to save it. Everything needed for my redemption was there. All I had to do was to stop listening to the father of all lies and believe what God had to say to my heart.

I am one with a light that shines brightly, a heart that beats, lungs that breath, eyes that see, ears that hear, a tongue that speaks, hands and feet for good works, a mind to be renewed and a soul designed for eternity. I am a new creation, since I have given my heart to Jesus.

* Who Will I Become?

I must work out my salvation with fear and trembling. I will continue to mature as a Christ follower. I will run the race to the end. I will pray without ceasing.

Philippians 2:12-18 NLT  ‘‘Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God.
And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.’’

Sometimes I forget that my Salvation had nothing to do with me and my works. I wanted control, but I could not have it. I wish I could have surrender once and it would have been permanent, but that is not how it was supposed to happen. I must continue to pray for the renewal of my mind and heart, often.

What Love! Enough can never be said about the goodness of God.

What Mercy! Enough cannot be said about the goodness of God.

What Grace! Enough cannot be said about the goodness of God.

God gives me grace to shine brightly for Christ and build up treasure in Heaven. I am His living sacrifice.

* “Praising His Name with My Life” Call me a living sacrifice. Call me a doer of the word. Call me one who walks with God. Call me a disciple of Christ. Call me a citizen of heaven. Call me a temple for the Holy Spirit. Call me a member in the body of Christ. Call me an ambassador for Christ. Call me an instrument of the Lord. Call me a new creature in Christ. I have so many more names. Stay tuned, my story is not complete yet.

Study and Know, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Not a Great Start

Included: * Out of the Darkness * I Fell in Love with Sports * Five Small Books’ * Mickey and the Prayer of Salvation * Parable of the Lost Sheep * Quotable Quote ***

* As I said, my Heavenly Father has called me “out of the darkness” and into His marvelous light. Every single one of my footsteps has been planned in advance; leading me to this place, at this time, and for this reason.

I was born in Central California in 1949, but did my growing up in Arizona. It was a chaotic family environment to say the least. My parents, being alcoholics, loved me and no doubt tried their best. There was no way that I could tell what they were thinking most of the time or how I even fit in. I learned early that the best thing for me to do was to stay out of the way. I believe my older sister, Carol, may have felt the same.

* At about age six, “I fell in love with sports”, all of them. But baseball was the one that gave me immediate esteem. I had no problem finding ball playing friends that shared the same circumstances in their home lives. We played baseball almost every waking hour.

Besides my sandlot friends, I also enjoyed a special relationship with my cousin, Gary. God, knowing that I would be his someday gave me prevenient grace and protection to grow up with friends and family.

During a sleepover at Gary’s house, I noticed “five small books“ on top of his dresser top. I asked what they were and he answered me with delight in his voice. He said those are the books of the New Testament of Jesus Christ. They are “Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the Acts of the Apostles“.
What? I thought to myself. I had no idea what the New Testament was or for that matter who Jesus Christ, Matthew, Mark, Luke or John were. Acts of the Apostles, what in the world was that?

Gary went on to tell me that he was told by his father, my Uncle Bill, a very Godly man, about Jesus and what he had done for everyone. That he had come down from heaven to live on earth and redeem all who are lost so they could live with Him in Heaven.

John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

I thought to myself, “I feel lost and living forever sounds pretty good.”

He continued by saying that I could pray and ask Jesus to come into my heart and I would be saved, just like he was. 

Should I do this? I did not pray the prayer at that time. Even as a little guy, I suspected that it was God doing all the talking for Gary. Since hindsight is 20/20, I should have done it right then and right there. 

When I got home, I asked my mom about it. She said when the time was right, I would know. Know What? Nothing really changed. I thank God that I have never forgotten about that encounter with my cousin Gary.

At the age of 12, another opportunity to pray the prayer came around. The circumstances were horrific at the time, but looking back, the result was eventually going to change my life.

* It was about “Mickey and the prayer of salvation”. God would begin a good work in me that even I could not ruin with the sinful, addictive behaviors to follow.

Mickey was such a good dog and friend. I loved him. We went everywhere together. However, he had a condition in his throat whereby he was unable to keep it clear properly and would seem to choke and gasp for air at times. A gentle throat massage would make his symptoms disappear. It sounded a lot worse than it really was. 

One night, my dad was drunk and witnessed an episode. Hastily, off we went into the back yard where he wanted to put the dog out of its misery. He claimed that Mickey was suffering and would be better off soon. In spite of all my tearful pleading protests and angry outbursts, he executed my dog right there in the back yard with a twenty-two rifle. I didn’t want Mickey to die, I was afraid for him and I was afraid to die too.

Sobbing and sobbing, I asked what was going to happen to my beloved pet. My dad said that there was no heaven for animals, but I could go there myself. All I had to do was pray a prayer of Salvation, which I did, with tears flooding. 

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and it is with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”. 

Do you mean that all I had to do was believe in Jesus and accept his free gift of salvation? Unfortunately, I didn’t hear the full Word of Truth at that time. God may have called me, but I missed it.
Do you believe in the work that the Son of Man did for us? Have you accepted his free gift? Please do so right now. The day of Salvation is today. God is calling. I can help you.

I still saw little change in my home life. However, I did begin to feel God’s presence through conversations with various people I knew, the popular music of the day, movies and many other places, like the sights and sounds of nature. I sensed God was all around me, but I did not know what to do about it. Maybe it was enough to just feel His presence sometimes.

* Parable of the Lost Sheep

Luke 15:1-7 “Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!
So Jesus told them this story: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’
In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”

* Quotable Quote

As Mahatma Gandhi famously (and sadly) said: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

Study and Know, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Going Dark

Included: * My Life Began to Turn South * the Football Coaches Noticed Me * First Time to Drink Alcohol * a Denial to a Draft Date * To Make Things Worse * Lost Memories * Quotable Quotes ***

* As time went by, “my life began to turn south”. The faint lifelines to God were replaced with all sorts of worldly impressions. My flesh began to run wild, and I didn’t even know the devil was a there. I began to make mistakes.

All too soon fear crept in. I became afraid of many things. I began to lie to make myself seem bigger. I began to cheat, even though I did not know why or even needed to. I was afraid to let anyone into my life. I did not want anyone to know who I really was. I thought I was just not good enough or just plain evil.

When I finally got to high school, I needed help to cope, so, I gravitated to what I knew best. I played sports, my first drug of choice.

* Somehow, “the football coaches noticed me” in PE and convinced me to go out for the team. My baseball coach, Coach B., spoke up and advised against it. He pleaded. He was sure that I would get hurt and/or lose focus on a possible future opportunity that he had had himself at Arizona State University.

I didn’t think playing football was a big deal and the desire to play was undeniable, so I did. I wanted to be popular. I wanted to be a football player. We won our second game, which meant there was going to be a big party in the Arizona desert that weekend. The after game boon-docker, as it was called, was a dream come true for me.
This skinny kid that everyone knew a little would now gain a big reputation as a party player.

* That night was “my first time to drink alcohol” and smoke grass, my first night to pass out and be ashamed the next morning, as I woke up in the bottom of a sandy wash and the sun beating down on my head. I was sick, very sick, but still alive and ready to go again and again and again.

Well, what have I learned so far?

Drinking alcohol and smoking weed enabled me to escape my fears and there were plenty. I learned how to act as if I was popular and had become entitled. I learned how to manipulate girls. What a jerk I was.

But, God is good. It seemed as if he intervened. I broke my leg the very next week and was sidelined for the year. In fact, I was never able to go back to play football again.
The rest of high school was a blur. I had become an out of control young man. No one really told me that my behavior was wrong, except, of course, Coach “B”. He tried, but my party world drowned his advice out.
Needless to say, I didn’t play baseball very well. I was an embarrassment. Coach B. was heartbroken. When awards time for scholarships came around, I was easily overlooked.

* “Denial to a draft date”. Denial of responsibility for my actions, my huge ego, and pride without any humility was a formula for a long drinking and partying in history.

I partied my way out of the junior college baseball too. I don’t even remember what I did.  I lost my student deferment, had a low lottery number and was drafted into the US Army that June 1968.

  I was trained to become a combat medic during the height of the Viet Nam War. But when it was time for overseas duty, Viet Nam orders only went to those men with last names that began with “A” through the letter “R”. My name began with an “S”, so I was shipped off to Korea instead. The rest of the six hundred went to Thailand.

But I can type! But I can type!  So, I became a medical records clerk. Thanks again to God for the breathing room and prevenient Grace.

Unfortunately, I would make and maintain disgraceful relationships overseas. The alcohol and drugs that I had used in high school and college really took off in the Army.

* “To make things worse”, I would also suffer multiple stressors that would induce PTSD. I was sliding down hill fast. After the stressors, I didn’t leave the base for ten months.

God did it again. He is so good! The seventh infantry division bayonets baseball team held tryouts. I went on temporary duty to try out, make the team and play the season. We entertained the troops on leave and the locals with six games a week.

It was the best season I ever played, but I don’t remember it. Drug use and a very unfortunate injury took its toll. 

I suffered a devastating TBI, traumatic brain injury. It was a out a 90 mph beanball which has affected my memory, until even today.

* “Lost Memories“. In February 1970, I was granted an honorable discharge from the Army and went back to Arizona. Unfortunately, I don’t even remember that. It would be several months later before memories were brought back into some clarity. I have vey faint memories of my military time. In fact, I cannot name a single person that I was stationed with in Korea, or for that matter, any of my teammates on the championship baseball team after my return over the traumatic brain injury.

Just recently, I finally recalled a conversation between myself and an associate.  I told him about “not wanting to admit any damage done to my brain in the military for fear I could not get a good job”. Boy was I wrong! Times changed!

* Quotable Quotes

“Put your nose into the Bible everyday. It is your spiritual food. And then share it. Make a vow not to be a lukewarm Christian.   Kirk Cameron

“Humanity is about as sharp as a bowling ball.”   Foghorn Leghorn

“I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this Book that you can by reason and the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man. It is the best Book which God has given to man.”   Abraham Lincoln

“The Work of the Father is to point all people to His Son for Salvation”   Alistair Begg

“Nothing in creation is outside of God’s Control“ Stephen Armstrong

“It cannot be stressed enough—nobody killed Jesus. He died willingly, offering Himself up as our only rescue from eternal separation from God.”   Dr. Billy Graham

Study and Know, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

I Wasn’t Quite Done 

Included: * Back in the World * A God Incident with a Godly Man * World Class Fast pitch Softball * I Met Another Woman * God Took the Urge to Drink Away! * While  Still on a Dry Drunk * My Dad is a Verbal Abuser * Quotable Quotes ***

* Now that I was “back in the world”, the good old USA,  What have I learned?

Rules can be easily broken if you know the right people and you’re willing to do what it takes to get by. The only people that liked me were those I partied with or that I could do favors for. I didn’t know how messed up my thinking had become.

I got a job and met a girl. We dated, got engaged and married. We were married for a little more than a year and divorced. It must have been very bad for her. We had no children together.

* A “God-incident with a Godly man” occurred when my life long friend, Alan, and I went to see his dad. He was a Godly man, the most Godly man I have ever met. We visited for a while and when we were about to leave, Mr. H. took both my hands into his. It seemed as if it was a dream, but he prayed for me, and/or us. I remember his saying, “God Bless You” on your way. I did not see it at the time, but that had to be the voice and action of Jesus once again. I was saved and I knew it. God did it all. Sorry, but, sounds perfect I promptly resumed my lost ways.

* Soon after that encounter, I found consolation. That’s right in another sport. I played “world class fast pitch softball”. The lifestyle included travel all over the USA and a few other countries. Besides, I might redeem myself for past sports under achievements and failures. There were plenty of awards, accolades to be had, a goodwill tour to New Zealand, a Pan Am softball team tryout, and an induction into the Arizona Fast-pitch Softball Hall of Fame. They were all something that the world saw has great achievements and I now see is useless.

* “I met another woman”, Judy. We dated, got engaged, and we’re married. I was still very, very sick from military and medicating with alcohol and drugs. She sort of supported me in the sport until my behavior soured her on the amateur softball lifestyle. I treated her so badly. What an understatement! We have not divorced to this day. We have a daughter together. I am committed to a living amends or whatever it takes to make things right.

However, I was a good provider. I could make my way through the business world and earn plenty of money. Money was just one more thing for me to worship. I started my own sales agency at the age of 30. I owned an extremely successful building materials sales agency. There were many awards and bonuses. Money was never a concern; it seemed as if it was more of a punch line. Since sports were fading because of my age, I had my company to make me feel self worthy. As things were progressing very well, of course, all my celebrating was done in hotel bars with booze and ladies all around. 

One morning after a night of drinking and carousing with my associates, I woke up in my own driveway. My eight and a half month miraculously pregnant wife was just inside and had been waiting for me to come home. Why did I do that? What a jerk I was!  I felt an impending doom. I had been in total denial. There was no moment of surrender to God or anyone for that matter. No God and No Peace were to be found. Maybe He was still there? I just didn’t know for sure. Did I blow it?

I wanted to make things right, but I was confused about everything. So far, I would not ask for help. I was powerless to control myself and my life was unmanageable. I had done unforgivable things in my marriages. My respect for women was an obvious sick joke. I had set an all-time record of verbal abuse, angry outbursts and unfaithful behaviors. Even though it was not the bottom that some people experience, it was the bottom for me. I had never been arrested or gone to jail, at least not so far! 

Right then, right there, I asked God for help again. Without knowing what to say, my heart just cried out for me. I vowed to never allow my unborn daughter to see me drink and act that way. She was born soon thereafter, on June 13, 1984. I chose her birthday as a date to move forward as a sober man.

* He did it! He did it! “God took away the urge to drink“, but I took the manageability part on myself. I’d stopped drinking on my own and took the advice in my wife and others to attend AA.

I decided to go it alone. With “The Tom S. Program” of recovery, I failed to overcome my afflictions, but did not know it at the time. Military injuries (I cannot blame them), as well as my drinking to excess were adversaries that demanded God’s help through others. 

Included in the Tom S. recovery program were a membership in Promise Keepers, attendance to many different churches, Bible studies, and even service as a church volunteer, but always, always when I had the time and on my terms.
Asking for help and working with another man is where the real healing took place. Another man stood in the place of Jesus.
I remember a Promise Keepers meeting in an Arizona church where I laid prone, face buried in the aisle carpet while doing step 4 and step 5 with a total stranger. It was humiliating. I also rededicated my life to Jesus at that time. Praise God, there were no more immoral behaviors.

* But, “one day, while still a dry drunk”, I returned home from a business trip to Dallas only to discover that my wife had left me and taken our daughter too. Again, I broke down completely. I have failed again. My program had failed. No, it never really worked at all. Even though I had not picked up a drink, I was still sick. I found my wife and begged for another chance. Reluctantly, she came back and also brought my daughter. They probably should have just made a good life for each other.

I feel that my wife has never really forgiven me. She has refused to talk about us at all, ever, and has maintained her distance, even to this day. We grew to be good life partners together, and I am still committed to that living amends.

* But years later, the absolute most devastating blow of my life came when my daughter made the statement during her own recovery session, “my dad is a verbal abuser“. 

She had never even seen me drink, but what she said was true of me.  I had been acting out as a dry drunk. Because of the way she said, I understood the true meaning of the total wreckage that I had caused, not only from my drinking, but from my anger and my thinking.
Her and I have been lost to each other for a long time. She still has “zero tolerance” for any of my old behaviors and language. We are better now. Praise Jesus.

* Quotable Quotes

“‘I want to know one thing, the way to heaven: how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way; for this very end he came from heaven. He has written it down in a book! Oh, give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God! I have it: here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be: “A man of one book.’”   John Westley

“The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid.” Martin Luther

“If you want to live in the fullness of God’s anointing, fill your mouth with His Word.”    Joyce Meyer

“Jesus Christ is not a problem; He is the solution to every problem for life, for death, and for eternity.”   Harry Ironside

“Only once did God choose a completely sinless preacher.”   Alexander Whyte

“It is necessary for the welfare of the nation that men’s lives be based on the principles of the Bible. No man, educated or uneducated, can afford to be ignorant of the Bible.”   Theodore Roosevelt

“Infinite, and yet an infant – Eternal, and yet born of a woman – Almighty, and yet hanging on a woman’s breast. Supporting a universe, and yet needing to be carried in a mother’s arms. King of angels, and yet the reputed son of Joseph. Heir of all things, and yet the carpenter’s despised son.” Charles Spurgeon

“No one else holds or has held the place in the heart of the world which Jesus holds. Other gods have been as devoutly worshipped; no other man has been so devoutly loved.”   John Knox

“God is the author of the Bible, and only the truth it contains will lead people to true happiness.”   George Muller

Study and Know, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Still Not Done Yet, and I Think I Thought I Saw You

Included: * I Found Fellowship * Celebrate Recovery Short Story * Studying the Word of God * I Have Been the Hands and Feet of Jesus * I Live by My Life-Affirming Verses * Quotable Quotes ***

It has been on a rocky road, but God put a fork in it, just for me.

* Years later, upon moving to Florida, “I found fellowship“ in Cape Coral. I had a Christian home. I had brothers and sisters in Christ. 

I was blessed with literally hundreds of friends in the ministries of Celebrate Recovery, the Walk to Emmaus Community, and the Cairos Inside Prison Ministry.

* “Celebrate Recovery Short Story” by Sir Alden Pines”

There were many, many people walking along a broad road that had holes in it. Suddenly, a man found himself in the bottom of one.
“How did I get in this hole?”, he said to himself. He looked up and down and all around in the hole. “How in the world do I get out of this hole?”, he said aloud. He looked up again and the sky was growing dark and ominous. “Wow, I don’t want to panic, but, I have to get out of here right away!”, he thought to himself.
Just then, a man with a white coat and a stethoscope around his neck walked up to the edge of the hole and said, “Hey there, what are you doing in the bottom of this hole?”.
The man answered, “I don’t know. I don’t even know how I got here. Can you get me out?”
The man in the white coat took a few moments to think and said, “A work crew should come by soon to fill the hole. Until then, I will leave you with these pills to help you from becoming depressed. After the work crew gets you out, be sure to avoid holes like this in the future. Do you understand?”
Next, a woman in glasses appeared with a notepad in hand. She said, “I see you have gotten yourself into a hole here. How does that make you feel?”
The man replied with concern about his well being, “I feel like I have to get out of here. The weather is getting worse by the minute. Can you please get me out of this hole?”.
She said in a very professional manner, “Sorry, but this problem can’t be resolved with one visit. I will come by here next week at this same time and we can pick it up from there. In the mean time, I will leave these pills to help you with anxiety.”
Finally, a different man, me, walked up to the edge of the hole and said, “Oh wow, I see you are in a hole.  Do you want to get out? 
The man pleaded, “Yes, of course, please get me out of here! No one has been able to help me get out. I am really frightened. I don’t what to do and it is starting to rain”.
Then, the different man, me, jumped right in with him.
Now, the man was really panicked and said, “Why in the world did you jump in with me? I need for you to get me out, not join me. Now we are both in this hole.”
I reassured him by saying, “Don’t worry, I have been in this hole before and I know how to lead us both out. If you are willing to do whatever it takes, then we’ll get right out”.

* “Studying the Word of God” is the most important thing to me. Because of God’s unfailing love, he gave me the law to contemplate. Realizing that I could never live up to it, I ran back to the cross. Jesus died in my place. Now, I could be made righteous with the father through his son Jesus. I am forgiven past, present and future. 

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit, my constant companion, as I call him, helps me capture my thoughts to the obedience of Christ. I can repent, ask for forgiveness and do the next right thing. Praise the Lord.

I remembered God, the Creator of Everything was finally ready for my call. He imputed by way of the Holy Spirits revelation, His righteousness to me the moment of my belief in His Son.

Today, I have hope, his name is Jesus. I have peace, his name is Jesus. I have love, his name is Jesus. And someday, I would like to own His humility too.

* “I have been the hands and feet of Jesus” in many volunteer organizations. I have laid my sinful, addictive behavior from my youth at the feet of Jesus. I have laid my immoral behaviors from the military at the feet of Jesus. I have laid my scheming, striving and immorality in business at the feet of Jesus. I have laid my failures as a husband, father and friend at the feet of Jesus.

Even though I am forgiven there are still consequences that must be dealt with.

So, now, what have I learned?

I am not what I have accomplished in the world. I am not what others think of me. All that matters is that I am a child of God and that I am in Christ to the best of my ability, moment by moment by moment. He will take it from there.

My prayer for everyone reading these words is that all of our hearts burn within us, just the same as they did for Simon and Cleopas on the road to Emmaus after Jesus revealed the prophecies of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms of the Old Testament, and what He had to fulfill before coming into His Glory. I wish I could have been there to hear him say that.

And, further, I hope that we all rush to our own Jerusalem to declare to everyone we know that “the Lord has risen indeed”.

* “I live by my life-affirming verses”. The Holy Spirit has me hold them close to my heart. They are inspiring to me and pop into my renewed mind or during prayer most often. Jesus speaks to me mostly in this way.

John 3:16 ““For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Revelation 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

John 15:7 “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”

* Quotable Quotes

“The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid.”   Martin Luther

“When I was born, I could not, not sin. Living in Christ has made me new .”   Sir Alden Pines

“Everything can be asked for and given in Christ. But, an ask that is outside of God‘s will is merely sin.”   Sir Alden Pines

Study and Know, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

How My Salvation Happened

Included: * Effectual Calling * Doctrine of Regeneration *  Belief in the Message of Truth, Faith in Jesus Christ, and Sorrow Leading to True Repentance * Baptized in the Spirit * Righteousness in His Son * My  Propitiation * Water immersion Baptism  * Parable of the Prodigal Son * Quotable Quote ***

* I never imagined how my salvation would happen. Who does? Salvation is from God alone. God called me to himself by way of his “effectual calling”. It is the revelation that led to my salvation. I tried praying under my own power so many times but it failed. God is sovereign. He and only He can save.

Romans 8:30 “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”’  

God justified me.  Romans 8:33  ‘Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.’

He will glorify me.  2 Corinthians 5:17  ‘Therefore OK thanks, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.’

* God also gave me the “doctrine of regeneration” through the Holy Spirit. Regeneration comes before faith because it is impossible for spiritually a dead man to believe and have faith. Only God can arrange for that condition. The act of saving takes place simultaneously and inseparably in real time at the moment we are united with Christ. Human participation is not necessary.

1 Corinthians 2:14  “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”

* God gave me belief in the message of truth, * Faith in Jesus Christ, * and the sorrow that leads to repentance. * I Was Baptized in the Spirit of God

1 Corinthians 12:13  “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

* These were imputed to me simultaneously, along with “Righteousness in His Son”.

Hebrews 12:2  ‘Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.’

Ephesians 1:13 NIV  “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,”

Romans 3:21-31 NIV  ‘This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.’

* “The propitiation of Jesus” is accepted by God, in order to satisfy his wrath for my sin, because of what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross through his sacrifice.

1 John 4:10 NIV  “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

* And later, I would be “immersion baptized in water” to signify my death with Christ and resurrection to eternal life.

* Parable of the Prodigal Son

Luke 15:11-32 “To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’
So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ “So he returned home to his father.
And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’
“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on.
Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’
“The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’
“His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’””

* Quotable Quote

”If you had a thousand crowns you should put them all on the head of Christ! And if you had a thousand tongues they should all sing his praise, for he is worthy!”   William Tip Taft

”Study and Know, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Working Out My Own Salvation 

Over time, through meditation and prayer, I have solidified my belief that I am really saved. Here’s how I know:

1 Corinthians 2:11-13 “No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. 

And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.”

* The Holy Spirit lives in me. 

* I have a desire to know and obey God. 

* I have an innermost love for God and the Brethren. 

* I want to advance the Kingdom. 

* I embrace everything God has to offer believers. 

* I will never stop.

Included: * Work Out Your Salvation with Fear and Trembling * The Story of Before Creation to the Fall * God Cannot be in the Presence of Sin * I Am Statements of Jesus * Messianic Miracles Performed by Jesus * The Unforgivable Sin * Sermon on the Mount * Parable of the Sower * Twenty-five “Truly, truly I Say to You Verses * Seven Letters to the Churches * Gift of Knowledge * Gift of Teaching * Gift of Intercession * Gift of Discernment * The Prayer of Jesus * Commandments of Jesus * Current Sayings that Came from the Bible * The Wedding at Cana * Paul’s Prayer for the Elect * Spiritual Blessings from Jesus to the Elect * Spiritual Blessings from the Holy Spirit to the Elect * Spiritual Blessings from God the Father to the Elect ***

Proudly, the verbiage included herein is only a minute amount of that included in my overall studies. There is so much more to do. My constant companion leads me.

Committing to prayer without ceasing, following in the footsteps of Jesus, studying God’s Word, meditating on God’s Word, acting in service to the brethren, participating his church’s fellowship, and blessing His Name with my life are what I aspire to do.

I have been justified. I am being sanctified. I will be glorified in Christ. It is a privilege to be in creation with a role to play. I will work out my own salvation with trembling and fear.

* Philippians 2:12-13 ESV  “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Article from SendUsLord.com

* “Story of creation before the fall“, judgment and punishment of Adam and Eve.

Before Creation, yet while in Heaven, God created other beings than man, such as the angels to serve Him as messengers for good and, unfortunately, fallen angels, or demons, that serve Satan’s evil purposes.

Lucifer was God’s brightest and most beautiful angel in Heaven.  He was a guardian cherub of the Mercy Seat of God when he committed the first sin. He became arrogant and prideful and rebelled against God because he wanted to be worshiped. A war broke out in Heaven over it.  Lucifer, who became known as Satan, the adversary, and was cast down to earth by the Archangel Michael and his army of angels.  Satan and his demons are one-third of Heaven. They hate God. They hate man. They are here right now!

“God’s Plan and Greatest Mystery”

The birth of sin in Heaven. The fall of man in the garden. The coming of the Messiah. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Resurrection. The reconciliation of the elect. The revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:9  “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.””

“God’s Brilliance Shown in Creation”

Volumes and volumes and volumes of books in thousands and thousands of libraries could not contain even a minute portion of God’s perfect plan and purposes. 

He created the heavens and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh day, the Sabbath day.

Allow me to share a few of my favorite, but little known features of creation. These were just a few examples. God’s brilliance which cannot be measured.

Man was created perfect, but he fell in the garden. God cursed man and the earth with death. He would live hundreds of years until his “DNA became more and more corrupted”. Life spans today are shorter and will get even shorter. The earth and everything creating from the ground is dying.

God, knowing that “good” and “evil” would exist in the world and would require their own place of existence, He created both light and dark, even before He created the sun, moon, stars and the boundless darkness of outer space.

God, knowing that a “flood” would be necessary to destroy all the living, except eight, stored up water in the springs of the ground and the heavens of the earth to be released when needed.

God, knowing that the man would need immediate “sustenance”, placed fully grown and fruit yielding trees in the Garden for the man and the woman to eat. It was the same after the flood.

God, knowing that crops and animals were needed to later “sustain” future population growth, he arranged for plants to reproduce of their kinds and also animals to reproduce of their kinds. The Law of Seedtime and Harvest would reveal his power to create life and resurrect life.

Part 1, takes place during the Dispensation of Innocence. Scriptures are in Genesis Chapters 1 through 3. Adam and Eve, Innocence, Deception, and the Fall of Mankind

Meanwhile, down on earth, the man and the woman were innocent and lived in the Garden of Eden. God Himself was in their very presence. Their relationship was perfect. 

However, they were given specific directions by God to tend the garden, subdue the animals in creation and procreate to fill the earth. 

By the way, do not eat the forbidden fruit!

Enter the serpent. Satan, still furious from his fall from heaven, deceived the woman about God’s instructions. She ate and convinced the man that he could eat the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden, even though it had been forbidden by God, lest they die. 

They ate of the fruit anyway and committed the sin of disobedience. The “wages” of sin is death. Immediate spiritual death and physical death at its appointed time are now spread to future generations upon birth.

The knowledge of good and evil entered the world. Mankind has now fallen away from God and the perfect relationship with Him is destroyed. The rest of time as we know it is devoted to the restoration of that perfect relationship.

Sin Demands God’s Judgement and Punishment

* “God cannot be in the presence of sin”. God punished the serpent, the woman, the man, and cursed the ground. He cast them out of the garden, where they could never eat from the Tree of Life.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The Fall Brings About a Need for Animal Sacrifice

One result of sin made Adam and Eve realize that they were naked. Since an animal was killed, so its skin could be used to clothe the two sinners, the requirement of “animal sacrifice” would be carried forward for the covering of man’s sin in the future.

The Fall Brings About a Need for Grace

God the Father, so loved the world that He provided “grace” moving forward for mankind to live a physical life with the chance for possible “redemption”. 

God promised that an offspring of the woman, a seed, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would crush the serpents head and be “the Way Back”.

Mankind Now Belongs to Satan and he is just Getting Started

In all of Satan’s bitterness, still hating God and everything about him, he continues his rage. Satan can do nothing to God, so he will continue to attack man, who God loves and who is created in His image. 

Satan never stops. Both day and night, without resting, his constant war continues up to this very moment.

Well, what have we learned so far? 

We must be Redeemed by Jesus to Belong to God Again.

Sin and deception have become the chosen weapons by the devil, in his war against God and mankind. Mankind fell and lost his physical home, spiritual life, and all semblance of paradise because of it.

* “I Am” Statements Made by Jesus

I Am the Bread of Life

After the four-thousand were fed by Jesus, they were not satisfied and wanted more free food. Instead of feeding them more physical food, Jesus made the distinction between physical food and His being the bread that provides life forever.

John 6:35 “‘Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”’

John 6:51 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.””

I Am the Light of the World

During the Feast of Tabernacles Jesus spoke to the crowds assembled in the temple grounds. He had just encountered the woman caught in adultery and did not condemn her. Jesus went on to say that the world has been darkened by sin and that He offers light and guidance.

John 8:12 “‘When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”’

Isaiah 9:2 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

Before Abraham Was Born, I Am

Jesus was in the temple being examined by the Pharisees and others in the law. Note: It was customary at that time for the sacrificial lamb of the Passover feast to be examined for any blemish. Jesus was that sacrificial lamb.

John 8:57-58 “‘So the Jews said to Him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’ So they picked stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

John 8:56 “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.””

I Am the Door of the Sheep

Jesus, in so any words, declares Israel’s teachers and religious leaders to be unfit shepherds of the nation. He did this to their faces.

John 10:8-10 “All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”

I Am the Good Shepherd

Jesus had just healed the man born blind (which was a Messianic Miracle that only God could perform) and the Pharisees investigated it. Jesus spoke about spiritual blindness and went into the discourse about being a good shepherd vs the religious leaders of the day. Within His statements, Jesus described His sacrificial love for His people.

John 10:14-15 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

I Am the Resurrection and the Life

Jesus spoke these words to His grieving friend, Martha, after her brother, Lazarus, died. He went on to raise Lazarus from the dead. This was another Messianic miracle. Only God could raise someone from the dead after three days.

John 11:25-26 “‘Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’”

I Am the Way and the Truth and the Life

Jesus has just washed the feet of His disciples, predicted His own betrayal, revealed that Peter would deny Him three times and told them that He was going away. 

Jesus was comforting the disciples when, (John 14:5), Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
John 14:6-7 “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.’

John 6:40 “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.””

I Am the True Vine

Jesus makes the comparison of himself and his father, the vine dresser, to a vineyard and grapevines, with the Body of Christ producing fruit for the kingdom.

John 15:1-5 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

* Messianic Miracles Performed by Jesus

There were three specific miracles and another very important one that could only be performed by the Messiah. He performed so many more, including up to this very moment.

Healing the Jewish Leaper

Matthew 8:1-4 ‘“And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And behold, there came to him a leper and worshipped him, saying, ‘Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.’ And he stretched forth his hand, and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be thou made clean’. And straightway his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, ‘See thou tell no man; but go, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them”’.

The healing of a Jew leper had never been done before Jesus. A clean person was not supposed to touch a man with leprosy, but Jesus touched him and healed him. In fact, Jesus healed other lepers during His ministry.

Healing the Man Born Blind

John 9:1-7 “‘And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither did this man sin, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. When I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’
When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay, and said unto him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ He went away therefore, and washed, and came seeing.”’

John 9:32-33 “Since the world began it was never heard that any one opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.

Casting Out of a Mute Demon

Matthew 9:32-34 “And as they went forth, behold, there was brought to him a dumb man possessed with a demon. And when the demon was cast out, the dumb man spake: and the multitudes marveled, saying, it was never so seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, by the prince of the demons casteth he out demons.”

The Jewish procedure of exorcisms was to call the demon out by name. Of course, mute demons cannot hear and thus, cannot be cast out by anyone except God, through prayer. 

Jesus cast out the demon from a dumb man who then spoke. Jesus did this in full view of the multitudes and the pharisees. The multitudes believed Jesus was probably Messiah for a time, but they were swayed into disbelief by the dishonest pharisees who denied the truth about the miracle.

* The Unforgivable Sin 

Mathew 12 22-32 “Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw.
And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?”
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.”
Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.
And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

From that time forward, Jesus spoke in parables, in order to confuse those who would not believe.

Jesus performed so many miracles that they all could be not included or detailed in the New Testament. One of the more notable ones was “Raising the Dead After the Third Day”.

Even though the raising of Lazarus from the dead was not specifically known as a Messianic Miracle, it was very significant. It brought glory to God.

Jesus delayed His visit to Martha and Mary for a time. Lazarus died. Lazarus had been dead for four days when Jesus arrived. Note: The Jews of the day believed, that if the person had been dead for more than three days, the person was dead indeed.

Other notable miracles were: “Feeding the 5000”, “Feeding the 4000”, “Turning Water Into Wine”, “Jesus Walking on Water”

* The Sermon on the Mount

Study the changes from the Old Testament to the arrival of Jesus, the New Testament.

Matthew 5:1-48 “‘Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 

The Beatitudes

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’

‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.’

‘Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.’

‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.’

‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.’

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’

‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.’

‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’

‘Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’

Salt and Light

‘You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’

Christ Came to Fulfill the Law

‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’

Anger

‘You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment. 

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

So, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.’

Lust

‘You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.’

Divorce

‘It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce. But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.’

Oaths

‘Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn. 

But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.’

Retaliation

‘You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 

And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic let him have your cloak as well. 

And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 

Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.’

Love Your Enemies

‘You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’”

Giving to the Needy

Matthew 6:1-34 ‘“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 

Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. 

Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.’

The Lord’s Prayer

‘And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. 

Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. For when you pray, pray in this way:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’

Fasting

‘And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others.

Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.’

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

‘Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.’

Do Not Be Anxious

‘Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”’

Judging Others

Matthew 7:1-29 ‘Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.’

Ask, and It Will Be Given

‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him?’

The Golden Rule

‘So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.’

A Tree and Its Fruit

‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. 

Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 

So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.’

I Never Knew You

‘Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 

On that day many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Build Your House on the Rock

‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.’

The Authority of Jesus

‘And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.”’

* Parable of the Sower

Matthew 13:1-23 ESV  “That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 

And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 

Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 

Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 

Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 

He who has ears, let him hear.” 

Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 

And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 

For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 

Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ 

But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. 

“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 

As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 

As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 

As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

* “Truly, truly, I say to you” was a statement made 25 times before important versus in the book of John. This makes each verse unique and powerful.

John 1:51 “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

   In this verse, Jesus of affirms his divine connection to the  divine to Jacob’s ladder. (Study Jacob’s ladder)

John 3:3 “Truly, truly, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”

In this verse, Jesus states that we must be reborn (Study being reborn)

John 3:5 “Truly, truly, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.”

In this verse, Jesus commands baptism and spiritual rebirth. (Study baptism)

John 3:11 “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen…”

In this verse, Jesus speaks of his direct heavenly experience. (Study Heavenly Experience)

John 5:19 “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing…”

In this verse, Jesus claims to be the mirror image of his father and his will. (Study God’s will)

John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, anyone who hears my word and believes… has eternal life…”

In this verse, Jesus claims that his words are beyond our judgment and eternal. (Study eternal life)

John 5:25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming… when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God…”

In this verse, Jesus claims you have power over life and resurrection. (Study resurrection)

John 6:26 “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill . . .”

In this verse, Jesus claims that certain followers have selfish motives. (Study true believers)

John 6:32 “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread… but it is my Father who gives you the true bread…”

In this verse, Jesus redefines manna and declares himself to be the true bread of life. (Study manna)

John 6:47 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.”

In this verse, Jesus claims to be the source of eternal life. (Study Jesus’ power to give eternal life)

John 6:53 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man… you have no life in you.”

In this verse, Jesus makes a very provocative claim about communion and spiritual sustenance. (Study spiritual sustenance)

John 8:34 “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.”

In this verse, Jesus says sin goes past our actions to enslavement. (Study sin)

John 8:51 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.”

In this verse, Jesus claims obedience leads to eternal life. (Study obedience to God’s will)

John 8:58 “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

In this verse, Jesus claims to be God. (Study Abraham)

John 10:1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate… is a thief and a bandit.”

In this verse, Jesus claims to be the one true shepherd. (Study sheepfold)

John 10:7 “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep.”

In this verse, Jesus claims that He is safety for his sheep. (Study the gate)

John 12:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies…”

In this verse, Jesus declares that death is a pathway to our resurrection. (Study resurrection)

John 13:16 “Truly, truly, I say to you, servants are not greater than their master…”

In this verse, Jesus declares that humility and obedience is important to him. (Study the humility of Jesus)

John 13:20 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me…”

In this verse, Jesus declares that those that represent him carry sacred weight. (Study sacred weight)

John 13:21 “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray  me.”

In this verse, Jesus declares that Judas will betray him after the Last Supper. (Study the last supper)

John 14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do…”

In this verse, Jesus declares that his followers will participate in his divine work. (Study Devine works)

John 16:20 “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and mourn… but your pain will turn into joy.”

In this verse, Jesus declares that sorrow is not the end all. (Study true sorrow)

John 16:23 “Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.”

In this verse, Jesus declares that prayer in his name is powerful. (Study prayer in God’s will)

John 21:18 “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger… but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands…”

In this verse, Jesus tells Peter about his martyrdom. (Study deaths of the apostles)

* Regarding the Church Age

The seven churches are considered to be 100% of the Church over time. We are in the last days of the Church. Jesus is coming for His bride soon.

Revelation 1:10-11 “‘It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. It said, ’Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”’

Jesus Told John to Write About the “Things that Are”

To the Church of Ephesus

The Church of Jesus takes place from approximately the resurrection of Jesus to 100 AD It is also known as the “Loveless Church”.

Revelation 2:1-7 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lamp stands.

I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 

I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place, unless you repent.

Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 

To the one who conquers I will grant to eat the fruit of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.’”

To the Church in Smyrna

The Martyrs Church spans from approximately 100 to 300 AD. It is also known as the “Suffering Church”.

Revelation 2:8-11 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation.

Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 

The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.”

To the Church in Pergamum

The Apostolic Church spanned from approximately 300 to 500 AD. It is also known as the “Church of Satan’s City”.

Revelation 2:12-17 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 

The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Ballad, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 

To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.”

To the Church in Thyatira

The Church State existed between approximately 500 to 1500 AD. It is also known as the “Adulterous Church”.

Revelation 2:18-29 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write:

The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 

But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 

Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead.

And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 

But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come.

The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

To the Church in Sardis

The Reformation Church ran from approximately 1500 to 1700 AD. It is also known as the “Dead Church”.

Revelation 3:1-6 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write:

The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

I know you’re works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 

Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 

Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

To the Church in Philadelphia

The Evangelism Church existed between approximately 1700 to 1900 AD. It is also known as the “Faithful Church”.

Revelation 3:7-13 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 

Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.

Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.

I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 

The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

To the Church in Laodicea

The Lukewarm Church has run from approximately 1900 through current time. It is also known as the “Disgusting Church”.

Revelation 3:14-22 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the

beginning of God’s creation

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need

nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 

The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

* Disciple Lesson – Active Listening

Mark 4:9  ‘Jesus said, ‘He who has ears, let him hear.”’

“Active Listening” is a term which is commonly used in the help professions. It is the most effective form of listening and although listening is considered as a passive skill, active listening requires effort to build and develop it. Boy is it worth it!

* Active Listening is a way to show respect, compassion and love to others. It is a form of worship. It is a way to build up treasure in Heaven.

Some common factors that get in the way of active listening are:

Obvious External Factors – when noise, physical discomfort, interruption such as mobile phones, etc are present.

Matthew 17:5 “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”

Response Rehearsal – when you switch off from listening to the other person, often through impatience, and instead you focus on what you want to say next. As a result you don’t actually hear what the other person is saying.

Daniel 9:19  ‘O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”

Fact Finding – when you search for the facts and details of what someone is saying, instead of listening to the overall message they are trying to communicate. Fact finders often focus on what’s ‘not right’. They are so focused on what’s wrong that they actually miss what’s important.

Romans 2:13  “for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.”

Being Judgmental – when you form opinions about what the person is saying, as opposed to listening to them and seeking to understand them.

Matthew 7:1-2  “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Problem Solving – when you try to find solutions to the problems instead of listening to what the other person has to say. You become so distracted by your own thoughts that you miss the core message of what they are saying.

Matthew 13:13  “Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”

Imposing Personal Views – when considering your own viewpoint to be the only correct one and therefore being closed to the views of others.

Acts 23:8  “The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.”

My Salvation gives me an automatic membership into the “Body of Christ”. In order to edify the body, I must get well versed with my “Spiritual Gifts ” and use them.

* I have the Spiritual Gift of Knowledge of the Word

This is the gift of someone who actively pursues knowledge of the Bible according to God’s will. This person may also enjoy analyzing biblical data, always at the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The Rock Church, San Diego, CA,  www.sdrock.com

Scriptural Support

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Corinthians 12:8 “For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;”

Hosea 6:6 “For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

Proverbs 15:14 “The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.”

* I have the Spiritual Gift of Teaching

The skill to teach from the Bible and communicate effectively to the understanding and spiritual growth of others. 

The Rock Church, San Diego, CA, www.sdrock.com

Scriptural Support

1 Corinthians 4:17 “For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.”

1 Timothy 4:13-14 “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.”

Proverbs 1:8-9 “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction  And do not forsake your mother’s teaching; Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head And ornaments about your neck.”

Proverbs 3:12 “My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you.”

Proverbs 4:1-4 “Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding, for I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my instruction. When I was a son to my father, tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,”

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.”

Acts 2:42 “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Titus 1:9 “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”

Romans 6:17 “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed,”

Romans 16:17 “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.”

1 Timothy 4:6 “In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.”

2 Timothy 1:13-14 “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”

2 Timothy 4:3 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,”

Proverbs 11:6 “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, to receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity;”

Deuteronomy 27:2-4  “So it shall be on the day when you cross the Jordan to the land which the Lord your God gives You, that you shall set up for yourself large stones and coat them with lime and write on them all the words of this law, when you cross over, so that you may enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you.”’

Hebrews 5:12 “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.”

Titus 2:1-10 “But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,”

Acts 15:35 “But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also the word of the Lord.”

Matthew 4:23 “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people”

Matthew 11:1 “When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.”

Acts 28:31 “preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered”

1 Timothy 6:1-2 “All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.
Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.”

* I have the Spiritual Gift of Intersession

The ability to stand in the gap in prayer for someone, something, or someplace believing for profound results. 

The Rock Church, San Diego, CA, www.sdrock.com

Scriptural Support

1 Chronicles 29:19 “and give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies and Your statutes, and to do them all, and to build the temple, for which I have made provision.”

James 5:14-16 “Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

Genesis 18:23-33 “‘Abraham came near and said, ‘Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?
Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?’”
Behold, I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water; now may it be that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar so that I may drink,’ and who answers, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’—may she be the one whom You have appointed for your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master.”’

Numbers 27:15-23 “‘Then Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, ‘May the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the Lord will not be like sheep which have no shepherd.”’

Nehemiah 1:4-11 “‘When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. I said, ‘I beseech You, O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which
I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; I and my father’s house have sinned.”’

Acts 7:60 “‘Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them!’ Having said this, he fell asleep”’.

I thank God every day for my gifts and I attempt to use them with my brothers and sisters to his glory.

* I Have the Spiritual Gift of Discernment

The wisdom to recognize truth from untruth by correctly evaluating whether a behavior or teaching is from God or another, ungodly source. 

The Rock Church, San Diego, CA, www.sdrock.com

Scriptural Support

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Proverbs 15:21 “Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight.”

Philippians 1:9-10 “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;”

Hosea 14:9 “Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; Whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, And the righteous will walk in them, But transgressors will stumble in them.”

Job 6:30 “Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern calamities?”

Leviticus 10:10 “and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean,”

1 Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Isaiah 11:3 “And He will delight in the fear of the Lord, And He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make a decision by what His ears hear;”

Matthew 24:32-33 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.”

1 Kings 3:9 “So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

Psalm 119:66 “Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.

* The Prayer of Jesus from John 17

John 17:1-26 “After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. 

I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began. “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. 

They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me. “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. 

Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold. “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 

I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. 

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 

Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.””

The ability of Jesus to pray in such a thought-filled manner, making his message clear in every statement, is to be marveled upon. The prayer serves as a fingerprint for sincere prayer for all.

* The Great Commandments 

We listened to these commandments and know them to be true.

Matthew 22:34-40 “But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.
And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.
And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.””

Compare the central themes of all other religions, which have been diluted by Satan, to the purity of the commands of God.

* The Great Commission 

Matthew 28:16-20 “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

Compare the central objectives of all other religions, which have been diluted Satan, to the simplicity of the Great Commands.

* Current Sayings from the Bible

“All Things to All Men”

Modern Day Meaning: a person that makes all people happy by giving them what they want or telling them what they want to hear.

Biblical source from 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 “To the weak, I became weak to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

“Apple of My/His Eye”

Modern Day Meaning: Something or someone who is highly cherished, usually above others.

Biblical Source from Psalm 17:8-9 “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.”

“Charity Begins at Home”

Modern Day Meaning: Help the people closest to you before you begin to help others who are farther away.

Biblical source from 1 Timothy 5:4 “But if any widow has children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.”

“Eat Drink and be Merry”  

Modern Day Meaning: Whereby caution is thrown to the wind and pleasure is the order of the day.

A jovial call for others to enjoy themselves and make the most of the moment (usually at a party or celebration).

Biblical source from Ecclesiastes 8:15  “So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun”.

“Burning Bush”

Modern Day Meaning: Burning bush, also called firebush, summer cypress, a shrubby plant, Kochia scoparia, of the amaranth family, having dense, feathery foliage that turns red in fall.

Biblical source from Exodus 3:2-4 ‘“There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush.
Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up”.
When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”’

Acts 7:30-32 NIV After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. Moses was amazed by what he saw, and went near the bush to get a better look. But he heard the Lord’s voice: ‘I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’
Moses trembled with fear and dared not look.”’

Luke 20:31-32 ‘“And Moses clearly proves that the dead are raised to life. In the passage about the burning bush, he speaks of the Lord as ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is the God of the living, not of the dead, for to him all are alive.”’

* The Wedding at Cana – Jesus Turns Water into Wine 

John 2:1-12 “The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.
The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.
When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” 

This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.”

* Paul’s Prayer for the Elect

The Bible says that in our natural sinful state, we are enemies of God. And, only God can prepare a heart to accept Jesus Christ at the time of His choosing.

Ephesians 1:3  ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.’

Ephesians 1:15-23 ‘For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.’ 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

* Spiritual Blessings from Jesus to the Elect

Ephesians 1:3 NIV Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing.

Ephesians 1:7-12 NIV composed by God and penned by the Apostle Paul, is the equivalent of only one Greek language sentence. Ephesians 1:15-22 finishes the chapter.

This chapter’s impact and meaning cannot be overstated. God promises that these Spiritual Blessings be given to believers who are, Followers of Christ, instantly at the time of redemption. 7 ‘In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.’ 11 ‘In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.’ 

Did You Know About the Blessings from the Son to the Followers of Christ?

1. Did you know that we have redemption through his blood? We were born into a fallen world. Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the garden were the wages of sin, a death sentence for us. But, Jesus paid the ultimate price by taking our place on a cross. Our sin and shame became his sin and shame. His blood sacrifice brought us back into a right relationship with God so we can become Followers of Christ. From verse 7.

2. Did you know that we have forgiveness of sins? How many times have we turned our back on God and consciously disobeyed his commands. And, yet, he still sees us as Righteous Followers of His Son. Jesus knows the sins that we all have committed, past, present, and future, and he still forgives them. From verse 7.

3. Did you know that we have been given undeserved favor, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace? As Followers of Christ, we receive an unmeasurable amount of Grace. We are incapable of even knowing how much. It flows like the mightiest river, showering us with love and mercy, and it never ends. From verse 7-8.

4. Did you know that God has made known to us the mystery of His will? He does this, in order for the Followers of Christ to be fully aware of his final solution. Christ is the answer to every aspect of every human condition. In a sinful world, bad things happen to good people. From verse 9.

5. Did you know that by being a Follower of Christ, we are predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will (our eternal inheritance)? In Revelation, God says he will wipe away every tear from our eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, the former things have passed away. From verse 11.

* Spiritual Blessings from the Holy Spirit to the Elect

Ephesians 1:13-14  ’And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.’

Did You Know About the Blessings from the Holy Spirit for the Followers of Christ?

1. Did you know that we become God’s own when we have heard the message of truth? It is the good news of the gospel of our salvation brought to us by the Holy Spirit. There is darkness in this world, the evil one. But, he has been defeated by Jesus, the light of the world. Because we are followers of Christ, we bathe in the magnificent light of the spirit. Darkness can never defeat his light. From verse 13.

2. Did you know that we have been marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit was promised by Jesus and prophesied by such people as the Prophets Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zachariah, Joel, John the Baptist and Jesus. He led us to the Father and the Son. He is our constant companion and Sanctifier. He helps us. He comforts us. He gives us Grace. He gives us so much more that we cannot even explain. From verse 13.

* Spiritual Blessings from God the Father to the Elect

Ephesians 1:4-6   ‘composed by God and penned by the Apostle Paul, is the equivalent of only one Greek language sentence. Ephesians 1:15-22 finishes the chapter.
For he chose us in him, before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In His love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.’

Did You Know About the Blessings from God the Father for the Followers of Christ?

1. Did you know that God chose us in him before the creation of the world? We were created in his image and were meant to be Followers of Christ. Nothing can separate us from his love. He has always known and loved us. God has a plan for us and gives us a hope for the future, all before he said, “Let their Light”. From verse 4.

2. Did you know that we are holy and blameless in God’s sight? When God looks upon us, he sees only his son, Jesus. How much Jesus do you have in you? We are righteous when we are Followers of Christ. From verse 4.

3. Did you know that we are in His (God’s) love? It is called agape love. We are loved unconditionally and we don’t even have to earn it. In fact, we cannot earn it. All we have to do is receive it and remain Followers of Christ. Then, we can give it away as it was given to us. Read the Bible for instructions. From verse 4.

4. Did you know that we were predestined to adoption into sonship? As Followers of Christ, we have been set for adoption and thus receive all inheritances, including those of His Son. Can the love of God be comprehended? From verse 5.

5. Did you know that we have always been beloved and accepted by his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves? When we are Followers of Christ, we are loved just as He loves his son. We are not rejected, nor will we be cast out. From verse 6.

Study and Know, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Living by Christ Crucified

Included: * Power and Wisdom in the Cross * The Cross is Foolishness to those who are Perishing *  To Those who are Being Saved, the Cross is the Power of God * He Himself Bore Our Sins * Christ Redeemed Us * He is the Propitiation of Our Sins * Quotable Quote ***

* God has had a plan for mankind. God chooses to reveal “His power and wisdom in the Cross”. He confounds those who believe they are wise in their own eyes with the humble and meek. He has chosen to reveal His power in our weakness to shame those who think they are strong.

* 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” in the delusion of their own wisdom and strength. “But to those who are being saved, the cross is the power of God.”

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”
And, as Martin Luther was quoted: “What man, being God, would humble himself to lie in the feed box of a donkey or hang on a cross to die?”

Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

Mark 15:30-31 “save yourself, and come down from the cross!” So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself.”

* 1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”

Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

* Galatians 3:13 “‘Christ redeemed us” from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”’

* 1 John 2:2 “is the propitiation for our sins”, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Hebrews 12:2 “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Galatians 6:14 “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

Philippians 3:10-11 “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”

1 Peter 2:25 “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

Romans 4:7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven and whose sins are covered”.

What the Apostle Paul says here is profound. This changes everything we thought we knew about God.

‘God is not up in heaven, arms crossed, waiting for us to appease and please Him. He has stepped into our impossible situation. He has become our brother in flesh and blood. He has made peace in the war between us and Him; a war we started and continued through rebellion and sin.’
The Apostle Paul

* Quotable Quote 

A man spoke out upon his arrival in heaven. There were many people there that he expected to see and when he did, he was genuinely joyful. However, when he saw me, he frowned and said, “I know you, how did you get here?”. I replied, “The man on the middle cross told I could come.”   Sir Alden Pines

Study and Know, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Living by Christ Risen and Ascended

Included: * Christ Risen” Demonstrates the Law of Seedtime and Harvest * God Revealed himself in Christ * After Three Days, He Rose to Life from Death * The Ascension of Christ * Quotable Quotes ***

* Christ Risen and Ascended is the Most Important Event in Human History!

Scriptural Support

Isaiah 26:19 “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.”

Romans 8:11 “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” 

* Christ Risen is the Law of Seedtime and Harvest 

Scriptural Support

1 Corinthians 15:36 “What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.”

1 Corinthians 15:37-38 “And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body.”

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 “So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.”

1 Corinthians 15:56-58 “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

* “God revealed himself in Jesus Christ”. In His indescribable power, he came down to earth, lived a perfect sinless life among us, died a horrible, violent, bloody death, and was buried in a tomb. In His indescribable power, “after three days, he rose to life from death” and gave himself an imperishable, heavenly body, in order to justify mankind to himself. 

Seedtime and Harvest: God chose to die on a cross and plant himself in a tomb. God resurrected himself and came back to life in a perfect, heavenly body so we might be justified to him. 

* The Ascension of Christ

Acts of the Apostles 1:8-11 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!””

* Quotable Quotes

“A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”   Charles H. Spurgeon

“Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems of men.   Ronald Reagan

“I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.”    Sir Isaac Newton

“I’ve read the last page of the Bible, it’s all going to turn out all right“   Billy Graham

“If time is the currency of mankind, then I want to spend it on the Kingdom of God.”
Sir Alden Pines

“Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.”   Mother Teresa

“God is the author of the Bible, and only the truth it contains will lead people to true happiness.   George Muller

“Meet your fears with faith”   Max Lucado

Study and Know, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Deny Myself and Follow Him

Included: * Messiah Foretold * After Me Comes One who is Mightier than I * Follow Me and I will Make You Fishers of Men * Deny Yourself * Submit to God * Don’t Retaliate against others * Give up your Worldly Reputation * Become His Living Sacrifice * Store up your Treasure in Heaven * Love Him, but Love your Neighbor also * Give up your Right to be Esteemed * Obey, even if you don’t know His Plan * Do His will not yours  * Keep no Grudges * Don’t be a Complainer  * Don’t put yourself First * Your Body is a Temple for the Holy Spirit * Submit to Human Authority and the Government * Quotable Quotes ***

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as we testify and He testified regarding Himself and His followers.

Ephesians 1:7-10 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight, making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

Mathew 16:24-26 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?’”

Luke 9:23-24 “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

* Messiah Foretold

Mark 1:1-11 ‘“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’
John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.”’
* And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I”, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 

Baptism of Jesus

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
The only way to get undeserved, gracious blessings of God is in a relationship with Him. Learn to: Every day, every hour, and every moment surrender your life to become a “living sacrifice” and choose to follow Him. Surrender and submit.

* Submit yourself to God and don’t Retaliate against others. 

Romans 12:19-20  “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord. Instead, “‘If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.’”

I am challenged to overcome my human instinct for revenge on my enemies. Further, I must trust God’s perfect justice. Even further, I am commanded to give them food and drink when needed. When they realize my love for them, shame will befall their very position.

* Submit yourself to God and give up your Worldly Reputation.

Mark 5:11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.”

Winning at everything was what mattered to me. I have been a person of successful partnerships, awards and accolades. I must remember that these awards and accolades are worldly and do not matter in heaven.

* Submit yourself to God and become His Living Sacrifice.

Romans 12:1 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

I had no idea what a living sacrifice was. So much of my life has passed by without thoughtful prayer to God. I was of no use to God, except for a bad example to others. Fortunately, God turned my life around and gave me the hope I needed to be the type of man I should have been all along. Now, I can become a good example to others.

* Submit Yourself to God Who Owns Everything and Store Up Your Treasures in Heaven.

Matthew 6:19-21 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

During my younger years, even sometimes today, I strove to be a notable person, a person of distinction. By the age of 30, I owned my own rep firm. I had already been awarded USA agent of the year for my main product line for three consecutive years. My business performance made people in higher places value my advice. I was stuck in worldly honor.

* Submit yourself to God and not only Love Him, but Love Your Neighbor also.

Matthew 22:39  “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.”

It is easy to love your neighbor or your family. Even evil people can do that. My struggle has always been to love my enemies. A competitive nature dictates that you overpower your competition and destroy your enemies. It is a miracle from God anytime I can overcome my struggle and love my enemy as the Bible says.

* Submit yourself to God and give up Your Right to be Esteemed.

Mark 10-42-45 “So Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”

Accolades are food for my ego. I must remember that awards and accolades are worldly and do not matter in heaven. Humility is practically impossible when self-esteem is high. I wish to live off of the bread of life from heaven. That is what I need. That is what I want.

* Submit yourself to God, and Obey, even if you don’t know His Plan for You.

Hebrews 11:8 “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.”

This directive is easily the most difficult to follow of all. It is the epitome of faith. As Abraham was granted righteousness from God as a result of his obedience, so it will be for others. God befriends his children of great faith. God bestows his favor on his children of great faith. This directive is easily the most rewarding of any to follow.

* Submit yourself to God and Do His Will Not Yours.

John 14:23-24 “Jesus replied, ‘All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.’”

I have often said that the Bible has a thousand different ways of saying the same things to people with different perspectives. The theme of doing God‘s will and not yours is one such thing. God will be pleased with you when you keep this basic concept. God will repay your love and loyalty when you keep this concept.

* Submit yourself to God and Keep No Grudges in your heart.

Colossians 3:14-14 “bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

Holding a grudge is a giant no no. It is a red flag to me. Anywhere close to keeping a grudge is a sign that I am not forgiving. I will be forgiven as I forgive others, pure and simple. I want full forgiveness from the Lord.

 * Submit yourself to God and don’t be a Complainer  

Philippians 2:15 “Do everything without complaining and arguing,”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT  ”Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

I have been given a “God’s Beautiful Creation” to live in. I have been given a country that is abundantly healthy, wealthy and free. I am able to worship God who provides for me. I have a wife and a daughter and a sister and friends for fellowship. I can’t count my blessings enough. Why then do I ever complain?

Lies and accusations from the evil one, the world and all the evil that exists in it, and my flesh contribute to a tremendous amount of negative influence. Sometimes or even often it may play out as a complaining behavior on my part. It is a constant battle for me to recognize the good things that so far over power the negative things in my life. I must fight against to be more positive. The human default is negativity.

* Submit to God and don’t put yourself first.

Philippians 2:3-7 “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

I find it difficult to avoid selfishness and to act in humility around others at times. Being tired or hungry is only an excuse for my behavior. I must make a conscious change.

When I practice viewing every single person I see as a potential prayer target, and/or a potential person of Christ, I improve greatly. As long as I can do that, which is not all the time, I can act in a fashion worthy of putting someone else first.

* Submit yourself to God and realize that your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 “Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”

The Holy Spirit is deserving the most pure and holy temple. God gave me a body to specifically house the Holy Spirit. My eyes and my appendages and my mind are all subject to sin, especially sexual sin. I can improve and even overcome with the healing from God leading me.

* Submit yourself to God, but also submit to Human Authority and Government.

1 Peter 2:13-15 “For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.”

After the “Flood” in the time of Noah, God established human government as a means for mankind to lead itself into righteousness. Of course, human government led to the Tower of Babel. Even at the time of Jesus, he reiterated that it is important for us to “give to Caesar what is Caesars”.

Today, it is difficult when so many of our alleged public servants apparently take advantage of the common man. Still, we are commanded to submit.

* Quotable Quotes

“If we will not be governed by God, then we will be ruled by tyrants.”   William Penn

“The more profoundly we study this wonderful book [the Bible], and the more closely we observe its divine precepts, the better citizens we will become and the higher will be our destiny as a nation.   William McKinley

“It is necessary for the welfare of the nation that men’s lives be based on the principles of the Bible. No man, educated or uneducated, can afford to be ignorant of the Bible.”   Theodore Roosevelt

Study and Know, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Seeking the Favor of God

Included: * He has Spoken to us Through His Son * My Desires to the Desires of God * Their Great Faith * “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” * Quotable Quote ***

* Hebrews 1:1-2. “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the profits. And now, in these final days, “He has spoken to us through his son”. God promised everything to his son as an inheritance, and through the son, he created the universe. The son radiates God‘s own glory, and expresses the very character of God, and he sustained everything by the power of his command.

God still speaks through his Son and his Son speaks through his  Father’s Word. I read the Word and listen. The Holy Spirit leads me to the truth. I listen and then I speak through my prayer. 

Ask God for His Favor and how to get it, in prayer.

Living God, thank you for my life. Thank you for my family and friends. You have told me that if I abide in you and your words remain in me that anything I request will be granted. Father, show me how to gain your favor. Thank you for your promise, all glory and honor are yours. In Jesus name. Amen.

John 15:7  ““But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”

As a believer and God pleaser, nothing is more important than aligning “my desires to the desires of God” and remaining in Christ.  I read the Word and listen. The Holy Spirit leads me to the truth. I listen and then I speak through my prayer. 

Ask God for His Favor and how to get it, in prayer.

Abba Father, Your name is great,
Create desires in me that are your desires. I want to be like your Son, but I use profanity. I want to stop, but I cannot do it. I need your help. In Jesus name.
Amen.

I pray the same prayer for anger, lust, unbelief and many things.

Psalms 37:4 ““Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

It is my practice apply the above verses in the form of prayer without ceasing. I know that my prayers will be in “God’s Will”, therefore, they will be answered. I often thank him for and praise him for his promises.

What then do I pray for: * How to pray successfully * More Faith * Love for My Wife and Family * More of God’s Favor * Direction for Service to the brethren * Denial of Self * and much more.

Faithful People in History, Then and Now

* Scripture reveals ordinary people in whom God recognizes “their great faith” and chooses to favor. They were people that God used in a powerful way, were obedient, and clearly had His extraordinary blessings.

2 Chronicles 16:9  “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him”.

God sees every man’s heart, so He may pour His favor out on them. Below are excerpts from Chapter 11 in the Book of Hebrews where God acknowledges some of them.

Hebrews Chapter 11 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 

In Genesis 5:22-24 it says Enoch “walked with God”. They walked together and intimately talked together.

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 

By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 

In James 2:23 it says “‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God.”

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. 

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. 

Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. 

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 

He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 

By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 

By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 

By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. 

In Genesis 50:20 “Joseph said You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives”.

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 

By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 

Exodus 33:17. “God told Moses: “for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name”.

By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. 

By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 

By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. 

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 

David became Israel’s greatest king because of his desire to please the Lord. David’s devotion made him, as God says in Acts 13:22 “‘…a man after My heart, who will do all My will’”.

David’s son, Solomon, ascended to the throne of Israel after his larger than life father passed.

In a dream, God offered Solomon what his heart desired. Instead of riches and fame, Solomon asks for a “discerning heart to govern God’s people”. God gave him the wisdom to govern and made him the richest man ever.

Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

In Luke 1:38 Mary of Nazareth claimed “Behold, the bond slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word”.

Have an obedient, surrendered heart like Mary and you may find yourself “favored” by God. She humbly surrendered to what God had asked.

My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In 1 John 5:11-12 God says “He gives eternal life to those who believe in His beloved Son”. We should endeavor to become just like Jesus Christ. In John 17:20-21 Jesus prayed for the same unity for for as he has with his father.

The Apostle John, son of Zebedee is often called “the Disciple who Jesus loved”. He walked with and stood by Jesus during his ministry on earth. John is the only Disciple that was not martyred. After he wrote his Gospels, he was sentenced to death, but God kept him alive. He was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation.

The Apostle Paul was actually born as Saul of Tarsus in Cilicia, a Roman citizen. His parents were both Pharisees who followed the Law of Moses. Anything Greek was frowned upon, yet he could speak Aramaic, Greek and some Latin. He studied under the acclaimed rabbi Gamaliel and became a Pharisee. He would become known as the Hebrew’s Hebrew and Christian persecutor.

One day while on his way to Damascus to continue his persecution of the Christians, he was confronted by Jesus.

Acts 1:1-22 “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
And he said, “Who are you, Lord?”
* And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.”
And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”
But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.”
Saul immediately went into the synagogues and proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God. Saul’s arguments were proving that Jesus was the Christ.

He took up his Roman name of Paul and spent three years in the Arabian desert in the Lord’s Word. Not enough attention is given to this event.

Galatians 1:11-24 “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.
But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.”

* Quotable Quote 

“Believe me, sir, never a night goes by, be I ever so tired, but I read the Word of God before I go to bed.”   Douglas MacArthur 

Study and Know, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

How My Resurrection Works 

Included: * Resurrection of Jesus Christ * Never Really Happened * Really Did Happen * Then He Appeared * For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive * What is Sown is Perishable what is Raised is Imperishable * Quotable Quote ***

* The “Resurrection of Jesus Christ” represents the ultimate use of God’s power. Resurrecting a person can be understood by observing the “Seed Harvest Law”. It is a “type” of how the simple planting of a seed which has died, brings forth new life in resurrection and to eventual harvest.

Only God can Resurrect the dead into New Life

Only God can Foster Growth of a Planted Seed

Galatians 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

John 12:24 “But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

* If the resurrection of Jesus “never really happened”, then the entire Christian faith is void. He is still in a grave, like every other man, His claim to be God and the power to overcome are death or lies,

We would have no hope and no reason to trust him for our salvation.

* But if the resurrection of Jesus “really did happen”, then the entire Christian faith is validated and it is the most significant event in in history.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the father except by him,

It means Jesus Christ has the power to conquer death,

We would have hope and be able to trust in Jesus for our salvation.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 6-17, 19-58 ESV “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

* “Then he appeared” to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. 

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.
For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 

* “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive”. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? (After all, immersion baptism is an admission to the belief in resurrection.)
Why are we in danger every hour? I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus?
If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.
But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another.
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. 

* So is it with the resurrection of the dead. “What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable”. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual.
The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.
I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

God’s Seedtime and Harvest Plan – DIY

The directions are simple:

* Take the seeds you need for your own heart. (confess your sin and repent)(trust God),,

* Sow the remainder of seeds into the lives of those around you,

* Pray and continue to pray, and continue to pray for the seeds you have planted (from the original and subsequent planting) to take root and grow in the recipient’s heart.,

* Your faith will nurture the seeds., and

* God will make the seeds grow to maturity and harvest. (He has life creating power)

Go to :SendUsLord.com and * Ask me any question, * Leave me your comments, or * Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word. Let’s go!

* Quotable Quote

“While many try to ignore Jesus, when He returns in power and might, this will be impossible.”
Michael Youssef

Study and Know, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Keeping Watch for the Return of Christ

The Resurrection of the Saints and the Coming of the Lord

Included: * The Resurrection * The Parable of the Ten Virgins * The Order of Resurrection * Old Testament Times Wedding Tradition * The Day of The Lord * The Final Judgement * Wash Your Robe * The Return of Jesus ***

* The Resurrection

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.   

First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 

* The Parable of the 10 Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13 “‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.  As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”’

* The Order of The Resurrection 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died, was buried and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.  For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

* Old Testament Wedding Tradition – Time of Jesus

The father of the groom and the bride are responsible for arranging the wedding. A contract is formed. A bride’s price must be paid and sealed in full. 

“In the case of the bride of Christ, the Church, after the resurrection, the price paid was the blood of the Son”.

There is a period of time, usually a minimum of a year, that is called the betrothal. It is when the bride is prepared and trained for her new role in marriage. Of course her purity is maintained and she will be glorified in the future. 

John 14:2-3 “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

Also, during the betrothal period, the groom prepares a place for his bride to be. It is attached to his father‘s house. After the construction is approved by the father, he himself announces it is time to fetch the bride.

“God the Father will announce the fetching of the bride with a shout and a trumpet. BE READY! No one knows the time, only the Father.”

Then, the groom goes to the bride’s home and takes her back to his home. The wedding is in the grooms home, as well as, the wedding supper.

“The wedding between Jesus Christ and his bride, the church, as well as the wedding supper will take place in the home of the groom in heaven.”

* The Coming of the Lord – The Day of the Lord – Revelation 

Joel 2:1 “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand— a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness.”

2 Peter 3:10-13 “But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.  Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.”

* Final Judgement – Revelation 

Matthew 25:31-46 ““But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne.  All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”’ 

* Wash Your Robe

Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life.”

This is what washing my robe means to me.

I am a believer. Through my faith in Jesus Christ, I will cleanse my life from sin and strive for spiritual purity. I will strive to maintain a holy life by trusting Christ’s sacrifice in order to gain entrance into the new Jerusalem. 

* Jesus is coming – Revelation 

Revelation 22:7-21 ““Look I am coming soon! 

Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book. ” I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!” Then he instructed me, “Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near. 

Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.” 

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” 

Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. 

Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie. 

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.” 

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. 

And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. 

And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book. 

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! 

Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people.”

the end

But, now it is time for God to write your story, but in your own words. Trust God. He will help you. Your spirit will listen to the Holy Spirit and you will succeed. So many people need to hear your story from you.

You may also contact me at SendUsLord.com and I will help you too.

John 3:16-17  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Salvation. There is the general call to all of humanity, not just the God’s elect.

Gotquestions.org asks this. Is salvation by faith alone, or is salvation by faith plus works? This is perhaps the most important question in all of Christian theology. This question was the cause of the Reformation, the split between Protestantism and Catholicism. This question is a key difference between biblical Christianity and most of the cults. Is salvation through faith alone or through faith plus human works? Stated another way, am I saved by trusting in Jesus, or do I have to believe in Jesus and, in addition, do certain things?

The “doctrine of irresistible grace” simply recognizes that the Bible teaches God is sovereign and can overcome all resistance when He wills to. What God decrees or determines will come to pass. This truth is seen throughout Scripture.

Man’s Traditional View of the Salvation Process. Salvation by Faith, plus Works.
“Our Confession on Earth Will Lead to God‘s Confession of Us in Heaven”

Romans 10:9-11  “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
        As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.””

Is God obligated to answer the sinners prayer instantly? If not instantly, when?

Daniel 12:2 “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.”

Why would a sovereign God allow any fallen sinner like myself to “make a decision for” and/or “outright verbalize acceptance of” his free gift of justification. Again, at that point, God would no longer be sovereign and I would be trying to be saved by my own works.  Salvation is of the Lord.

This passage in an article published by gotquestions.org should not be understood to mean that we are saved by means of an audible profession of faith.

Saying a sinner’s prayer will not accomplish anything on its own. A true sinner’s prayer only represents what a person knows, understands, and believes about their own sinfulness and their need for salvation. However, salvation is impossible without God’s righteousness. Man’s attempt at righteousness will not suffice.

Ephesians 2:8-10  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Salvation by Faith Alone

When God “effectually calls” a person to himself, the call effectively leads to their salvation. The gospel is available to everyone, but because of humanity’s sinful nature and total depravity, no one will turn to God without God first impressing Himself upon them.

God initiates the “doctrine of regeneration”, “being born again” through the Holy Spirit. Regeneration comes before faith because it is impossible for spiritually a dead man to believe and have faith. The act of saving takes place simultaneously in real time at the moment we are united with Christ. Human participation is not necessary.

1 Corinthians 2:14  “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”

Romans 8:30 “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”’  

He called – John 15:16  ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bare fruit-‘

He justified – Romans 8:33  ‘Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.’

He glorified – 2 Corinthians 5:17  ‘Therefore OK thanks, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.’

God imputed to man “faith in the atoning work of his son, Jesus Christ  and “his own righteousness”, not by man’s power at all.

Hebrews 12:2  ‘Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.’

Romans 3:21-31 NIV  ‘This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.’

“Sorrowful repentance”, “belief in the message of truth”, and “baptism of the Holy Spirit” are also given to fallen man by God along with imputed faith and righteousness.

2 Corinthians 7:10  “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”

Ephesians 1:13 NIV  “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,”

1 Corinthians 12:13  “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”

“Propitiation”, full payment accepted by God, in order to satisfy his wrath for sin. It is the accomplished work of Jesus Christ through his death on the cross in exchange for our sin that renders us “not guilty”.

1 John 4:10 NIV  “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Dr. Charles Stanley Study for Christ Follows – Struggling with Sin?

Warmup Question:  What is the most difficult thing you have ever done?

Romans 7:14-25 NLT  ‘So, the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it.
Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.
I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.
Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” 

Scriptural Questions:  What is the trouble with sin?, Is it me or the law?, What is my sin nature (Galatians 5:19-21)?, What is the power within us that makes us a slave to sin?, Are evil spirits malevolent, supernatural beings (Ephesians 6:12)?, Can God use evil to achieve His purposes (Romans 8:22)?, Can anything save me from the failure to keep God’s commands?

Podcast from Dr Charles Stanley, In Touch Ministries

Victory is God’s will for the life of a believer. But sometimes we can find ourselves repeatedly falling into the same sin. If we want to do what is right, why do we continue to miss the mark?

One reason is incomplete repentance

It is possible for us to experience grief, embarrassment, and shame over sin without being truly repentant. 

Repentance isn’t a matter of weeping or feeling guilty; rather, it’s a change of mind about sin so that we no longer hold on to our own perspective but instead agree with God’s viewpoint. When we do this, the heart turns in the opposite direction from persistent wrongdoing.

Proverbs 28:13 NLT  “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.”

The second reason for failure is an inadequate view of our identity in the Lord

We, as children of God, have Christ living within us. When we grasp this truth, we will recognize that sin does not fit who we are, and we’ll stop rationalizing our offenses.

Our genuine repentance is based upon an honest and biblical understanding of our identity. When we put these two truths together, we create a powerful tool against temptation. 

Our Father wants us to be victorious, and we triumph when we remember that Jesus Christ is the source of our life.

Question of the Heart:  Since we know that God wants victory in the lives of believers, where have you noticed a victory engineered by Him in your life.

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell “this people” about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.  Let’s go!

Easter Series #1 – What is Palm Sunday?

The events and meanings that took place in this Palm Sunday passage are some of the most important events and meanings in God‘s perfect plan.

Sometimes, when something is explained well, it’s just right to pass it along as is.
“Got Questions” is one such time.      Go to: gotquestions.org for more.

Palm Sunday is the day we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, one week before His resurrection, Matthew 21:1-11.

As Jesus entered the holy city, He neared the culmination of a long journey toward Golgotha. He had come to save the lost, Luke 19:10, and now was the time—this was the place—to secure that salvation. Palm Sunday marked the start of what is often called “Passion Week,” the final seven days of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

As Jesus ascended toward Jerusalem, a large multitude gathered around Him. 

This crowd understood that Jesus was the Messiah; what they did not understand was that it wasn’t time to set up the kingdom yet—although Jesus had tried to tell them so, Luke19:11-12.

The crowd’s actions along the road give rise to the name “Palm Sunday”: “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road”, Matthew 21:8. In strewing their cloaks on the road, the people were giving Jesus the royal treatment—King Jehu was given similar honor at his coronation in 2 Kings 9:14. John records the detail that the branches they cut were from palm trees in John 12:13.

Some 450 to 500 years prior to Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, the prophet Zechariah had prophesied the event we now call Palm Sunday: “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! / Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! / See, your king comes to you, / righteous and victorious, / lowly and riding on a donkey, / on a colt, the foal of a donkey”, Zechariah 9:9. The prophecy was fulfilled in every particular, and it was indeed a time of rejoicing, as Jerusalem welcomed their King. Unfortunately, the celebration was not to last. 

The crowds looked for a Messiah who would rescue them politically and free them nationally, but Jesus had come to save them spiritually. First things first, and mankind’s primary need is spiritual, not political, cultural, or national salvation.

Even as the coatless multitudes waved the palm branches and shouted for joy, they missed the true reason for Jesus’ presence. They could neither see nor understand the cross. That’s why, “as [Jesus] approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. “The days will come upon you when your enemies . . . will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you”, Luke 19:41-44. It is a tragic thing to see the Savior but not recognize Him for who He is.

There is coming a day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, 2:10-11. The worship will be real then. 

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.  Let’s go!

Easter Series #2 – What is Holy Monday?

The events and meanings that took place in this Holy Monday passage are some of the most important events and meanings in God‘s perfect plan.

Sometimes, when something is explained well, it’s just right to pass it along as is.
“Got Questions” is one such time.      Go to: gotquestions.org for more.

In Christianity, Holy Monday is the last Monday prior to Easter Sunday; it is the second day of Holy Week after Palm Sunday. Some denominations celebrate Holy Monday, and some do not. The Eastern Orthodox Church observes the day, typically marking it with Bible readings and certain hymns.

According to tradition, Holy Monday is the day on which Jesus cleansed the temple, Matthew 21:12-15

was praised by local children, Matthew 21:16-17

and cursed the fig tree, Matthew 21:12-22

It is the day following Palm Sunday, when Jesus came to Jerusalem in the triumphal entry, Matthew 21:1-11.  The following day is sometimes referred to as Holy Tuesday, the third day of Holy Week.

We should note that events in the biblical Gospels were not necessarily written in chronological order. Also, since the Romans and the Jews had different methods for calculating the start of a day, an exact sequence of events is difficult to determine. For these reasons, we can’t be dogmatic about the chronology of events leading up to Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion.

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.  Let’s go!

Easter Series #3 – What is Holy Tuesday?

The events and meanings that took place in this Holy Tuesday  passage are some of the most important events and meanings in God‘s perfect plan.

Sometimes, when something is explained well, it’s just right to pass it along as is.
Go to: “Got Questions”,  gotquestions.org for more.

In Christianity, Holy Tuesday is the last Tuesday prior to Easter Sunday; it is the third day of Holy Week after Palm Sunday and Holy Monday. Depending on the denomination, this day may or may not be celebrated at all. Those that do observe Holy Tuesday, such as Eastern Orthodox churches, typically mark it with readings of particular passages of Scriptures and the singing of relevant hymns.

According to common interpretation of the Bible, Holy Tuesday is when Jesus was issued various challenges by the Pharisees and Sadducees over subjects such as marriage in heaven, paying taxes to Caesar, and the source of His authority.
Matthew 21:23-39; Mark 11:27 and 12:44; Luke 20:1-21and 21:4.

By this same interpretation, this is the day Jesus commented on the widow’s donation, Mark 12; Luke 21   and was approached by a number of God-fearing Greeks,
John 12:20-36. 

Tuesday would also be the day Jesus spoke His seven “woes” against the Pharisees, Matthew 23:13-36    and the evening on which He delivered the Olivet Discourse,
Matthew 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5-36.

Holy Tuesday is the day following Holy Monday, and the next day in Holy Week is sometimes referred to as Holy Wednesday or Spy Wednesday.

It should be noted that events in the Gospels were not necessarily recorded chronologically. Also, Roman and Jewish days started at different times, making the chronology even more difficult to sort out. For these reasons, it’s unwise to be dogmatic about precisely which events occurred on which days leading up to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion.

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.  Let’s go!

Easter Series #4 – What is Holy Wednesday?

The events and meanings that took place in this Holy Wednesday passage are some of the most important events and meanings in God‘s perfect plan.

Sometimes, when something is explained well, it’s just right to pass it along as is.
”Got Questions” is one such time.    Go to: gotquestions.org for more.

In Christianity, Holy Wednesday or Spy Wednesday is the last Wednesday prior to Easter Sunday; it is the fourth day of Holy Week after Palm Sunday, Holy Monday, and Holy Tuesday. Depending on the denomination, this particular day may or may not be celebrated at all. Those that do observe Holy Wednesday, such as Eastern Orthodox churches, typically mark it with readings of Scripture and the singing of relevant hymns.

According to the traditional interpretation of the Bible, Holy Wednesday is the day on which Jesus was anointed with spikenard during a meal, Matthew 26:6-13. 

The day is sometimes called “Spy Wednesday” since it is traditionally thought of as the day Judas conspired with local authorities to betray Jesus.  Matthew 26:14-16. 

The following day is sometimes referred to as Maundy Thursday, the fifth day of Holy Week.

The Bible does not mention Holy Wednesday or Spy Wednesday. And it should be noted that events within the Gospels were not necessarily arranged chronologically, following the fashion of similar works written during the same time period. Also, the chronology of each Gospel was affected by cultural rules, as Roman and Jewish days started at different times. For these reasons, it’s unwise to be dogmatic about precisely which events occurred on which days leading up to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion.

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word. Let’s go!

Easter Series #5 – What is Maundy Thursday?

The events and meanings that took place in this Maundy Thursday passage are some of the most important events and meanings in God‘s perfect plan.

Sometimes, when something is explained well, it’s just right to pass it along as is.
“Got Questions” is one such time. Go to: gotquestions.org for more.

Maundy Thursday, also known as “Holy Thursday,” is the Thursday of Passion Week, one day before Good Friday, the Friday before Easter.

Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples. 

It was also the day of His betrayal and arrest. 

Maundy Thursday commemorates the actions of Jesus associated with the Last Supper. Two important events are the focus of Maundy Thursday:

The first event is Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper, or communion,
Luke 22:19-20. This is one of the ordinances of the church. Some Christians observe a special communion service on Maundy Thursday to commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples.

The second event that remains the focus of Maundy Thursday is Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet. His act of humility and service set an example for us to love and serve one another in humility, John 13:3-17. Today, some Christians observe a foot-washing ceremony on Maundy Thursday to follow the example of Jesus’ washing the feet of His disciples.

The Gospel of John details what happened that night of the Last Supper: “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him”
John 13:3-4.

He then told His disciples that “you should do as I have done for you” John 13:5.

The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “mandate” or “commandment.” 

So, Maundy Thursday could be thought of as “Commandment Thursday.” The specific mandate is the new commandment Jesus gave the disciples that night. Before He was arrested, Jesus said:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”, John 13:34-35.

Jesus repeats the command to love one another in John 15:12, and the apostles echo the theme throughout their epistles, Romans 13:8; 1 Peter 3:8; 4:8,
1 John 3-11; 4:7; 2 John 1:5.

The command to love one another is called the “Law of Christ” in Galatians: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Should Christians observe Maundy Thursday? The Bible neither commands nor forbids it. It is a good thing to remember the Last Supper and the Lord’s example of service and humility. At the same time, we should avoid ritualistic observances of holidays unless they are truly focused on God and our relationship with Him.

Observing a special communion service on Maundy Thursday/Holy Thursday is a good thing to do. 

A foot-washing ceremony in remembrance of how Christ humbled Himself and washed the feet of the disciples can also be a powerful reminder of how we are to live the Christian life, Philippians 2-1-11. 

The very best way to observe Maundy Thursday, though, is to make sure we are following the mandate: “Love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another”, John 13:34.

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word. Let’s go!

Easter Series #6 – What is Good Friday?

The events and meanings that took place in this Good Friday passage are some of the most important events and meanings in God‘s perfect plan.

Sometimes, when something is explained well, it’s just right to pass it along as is.
“Got Questions” is one such time. Go to: gotquestions.org for more.

Good Friday, also called “Holy Friday,” is the Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday. It is traditionally celebrated as the day of Jesus’ crucifixion.

Many Christians celebrate Good Friday with a subdued service, usually in the evening. The singing of solemn hymns, the offering of prayers, Scripture readings, and a message on Christ’s suffering on our behalf are often part of a Good Friday service. Also, Christ’s death is remembered with the observance of the Lord’s Supper, or communion. Some Christian traditions enforce a strict fast on Good Friday, and worshipers wear black and cease from work, treating Good Friday as a day of mourning. In some countries, people bake hot cross buns and serve them to friends and family. However Christians choose to observe Good Friday, the great sacrifice of Christ should be the focus.

The death of Christ, commemorated on Good Friday, was unlike any other death. Jesus’ death was truly a sacrifice for sin: “For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus”, Romans 3:25-26.

The Bible does not instruct Christians to observe Good Friday; neither does it forbid such an observance. The Bible gives us freedom in these matters. Romans 14:5 says, “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.” Believers are to remember Christ’s death every time they observe the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. Jesus’ words at the Last Supper are recorded in 1 Corinthians 11:24-26: “Do this in remembrance of me. . . . For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

What is “good” about Good Friday? What the Jewish authorities and Romans did to Jesus was definitely not good—it was evil, Matthew 26-27. The answer lies in the etymology of the English word good. In Middle English, the adjective gọ̄d held the sense of being “holy” or “sacred.” Before standardized spelling, the word also appeared as gode, goed, gude, goid, and good (Middle English Dictionary, Regents of the University of Michigan, 2025. The connotation of being “holy” is carried through in modern observances of “Good” Friday.

Beyond etymology, Good Friday can be called “good” because of the results of Christ’s death on the cross. Jesus’ sacrifice was a demonstration of God’s love for us, 

Romans 5:8. Through Jesus’ death, we can have peace with God: “While we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son”,  Romans 5:10. As 1 Peter3:18 says, “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God”.

That first Good Friday, it seemed that evil was in control, but it was only a temporary arrangement. In fact, Jesus was clear that the powers of darkness were given divine permission to act against Him, Luke 22:53; John10:18. 

Jesus told Pilate, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above”, John 19:11. God allowed the hatred, the conspiracy, the false accusations, the sham trials, and the murder of His Son on Good Friday. Through the crucifixion of Christ, God used the basest desires of evil men to accomplish the greatest good: the provision of salvation for mankind. The result was glorious: “He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors”,  Isaiah 53:12.

To learn more about the meaning of Good Friday and why Jesus’ death on the cross is so important to you, please see our article, “What does it mean to accept Jesus as your personal savior?”

The Bible explicitly states, in all four Gospels, that Jesus was crucified on preparation day Matthew 27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54; and John 19:14,31. 

He rose again on the first day of the week Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1;
and John 20:1. 

Determining the day of the week for the crucifixion would seem to be straightforward, but it’s not. Several factors must be considered: the Jewish mode of reckoning a day, the start of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and three calendars: Jewish, Julian, and Gregorian.

Three possibilities emerge: Jesus was crucified on what we would call a Friday, on a Thursday, or on a Wednesday. Here is a brief look at each viewpoint:

Jesus was crucified on a Friday

Early Friday: Jesus eats the Passover. Late Friday: Jesus is crucified and buried.

Early and late Saturday (the Sabbath): Jesus is in the tomb. Early Sunday: Jesus rises from the dead, and the women find the empty tomb.

The traditional view is that Jesus was crucified on a Friday. 

According to this timeline, Jesus was killed in AD 30, and the day of preparation was Passover, Friday, Nisan 14. That was the time to eat the Passover meal and to ready dwellings for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which began the next day, Saturday, Nisan 15. The fact that Jesus was killed on Passover accords well with 1 Corinthians 5:7, which calls Christ “our Passover Lamb.”

Mark 15:42 says that Jesus was crucified on “the day before the Sabbath”; proponents of the Friday view consider the “Sabbath” here to be the weekly observance held on Saturday. Immediately after Jesus was taken down from the cross, the women present followed the body of Jesus to the tomb to see where it was laid. This happened “late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin”, Luke 23:54. 

On the day after the crucifixion, Saturday , Nisan 15, the chief priests and the Pharisees met with Pilate, who agrees to have the tomb sealed and guarded Matthew 27:62.

The Friday view has Jesus in the tomb for three days by reckoning part of a day as a full day: Jesus was buried late in the day Friday (Day 1) and was entombed Saturday (Day 2) and the first part of Sunday (Day 3). Another argument for Friday points to verses such as Matthew 16:21 and Luke 9:22, which say that Jesus would rise “on the third day.” Sunday is the third day from Friday.

According to the Friday view, the “three days and three nights” prophecy of Matthew 12:40 was fulfilled in that both Jesus and Jonah were “confined” in difficult situations where they could not move about freely for three periods of darkness (night) and three periods of light (day). The three nights of confinement for Jesus were His arrest on Thursday night and His time in the tomb Friday night and Saturday night (or, as reckoned in the Jewish method—in which a day begins at sunset—early Friday, early Saturday, and early Sunday). The three days for Jesus were all day Friday, all day Saturday, and part of Sunday.

Jesus was crucified on a Thursday

Late Thursday: Jesus is crucified and buried. Late Thursday through early Sunday: Jesus is in the tomb. Early Sunday: Jesus rises from the dead, and the women find the empty tomb.

One point to be made in favor of the Thursday view is that Jesus’ prophecy of the sign of Jonah specifically includes three nights as well as three days, Matthew 12:40. If the crucifixion occurred on Thursday afternoon, the three days and three nights are all accounted for.

As for Luke’s statement that Jesus was taken down from the cross because “the sabbath was about to begin”, Luke 23:54, the Thursday view points out that there were actually two Sabbaths that week, the first Sabbath starting at sundown Thursday, followed by the regular Sabbath starting at sundown Friday. In fact, John’s account says that “the next day was to be a special Sabbath”, John 19:31; Passover was considered a special Sabbath, Leviticus 16:29-31; 23:7; 24:32, 39.

Further, Matthew 28:1 says that the resurrection occurred “after the Sabbaths” (Berean Literal Bible)—the plural sabbaths being in the original, confirming there were multiple Sabbaths between the crucifixion and the resurrection. So, the “Passover” Sabbath was followed immediately by the “weekly” Sabbath, making the first opportunity to prepare the body for burial on Sunday at first light—and the women came to the tomb to do just that.

Thursday advocates also point to several passages that indicate the number of days between the crucifixion and the resurrection. 

For example, in John 2:19, Jesus says, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” Three days from Thursday is Sunday. 

In addition, when Jesus appears to the two men on the road to Emmaus on resurrection Sunday, they state that “it is the third day since all this took place” Luke 24:21. A natural reading of this sentence would place the crucifixion on Thursday.

Advocates for a Thursday crucifixion consider the “Preparation Day” to be the day before the Passover, the High Sabbath, John 19:14. Preparation day was the day that the Passover lamb was killed prior to the Passover meal that evening—which, according to Jewish reckoning, was the beginning of the next day, Mark 14:12. 

It is clear from the Old Testament instructions on the Passover Exodus 12:6; Leviticus 23:5 that the lamb was to be slaughtered late in the day on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan—which was Thursday afternoon in AD 32. 

Thursday advocates point out that at the same time Israel was slaughtering their Passover lambs on Nisan 14, Jesus, the “Lamb of God”, John 1:29 was dying on a cross. Thus was fulfilled the prophetic symbolism of the Passover, 1 Corinthians 5:7.

Based on this timeline, Thursday proponents also argue that the Last Supper, eaten on Wednesday evening, was not the Passover meal. The main course at Passover was a lamb, and there is no lamb mentioned at the Last Supper. Only bread and wine are mentioned.

Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday

Late Wednesday: Jesus is crucified and buried.Early Thursday (Passover) through Late Saturday (Sabbath): Jesus is in the tomb. Friday (between the two Sabbaths): the women buy and prepare the spices. Early Sunday: Jesus rises from the dead, and the women find the empty tomb.

Those who argue for a Wednesday crucifixion agree with the Thursday view that there were two Sabbaths that week, but they separate them by a day. The first Sabbath, in this view, was the Passover Sabbath starting Wednesday evening following the crucifixion, Mark 15:42; Luke 23:52-54. Then came a non-Sabbath day (Friday) and then the weekly Sabbath starting Friday evening. The women purchased spices after the Sabbath, according to Mark 16:1—meaning the Passover Sabbath. Luke 23:56 says that, after the women saw where Jesus was buried, “they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.” The Wednesday argument states that the women could not purchase the spices after the Sabbath and prepare those spices before the Sabbath unless there were two Sabbaths that week, separated by a day.

Supporters of the Wednesday viewpoint see theirs as the only explanation that does not violate the biblical account of the women and the spices and holds to a literal understanding of Matthew 12:40. The “three days and three nights” are reckoned as follows: early Thursday (Day 1), late Thursday (Night 1), early Friday (Day 2), late Friday (Night 2), early Saturday (Day 3), and late Saturday (Night 3).

A difficulty with the Wednesday view is that the disciples who walked with Jesus on the road to Emmaus did so on “the same day” of His resurrection Luke 24:13. The disciples, who do not recognize Jesus, tell Him of Jesus’ crucifixion (verse 20) and say that “today is the third day since these things happened” (verse 21). Wednesday to Sunday is four days. A possible explanation is that they may have started their count on Wednesday evening at Christ’s burial, which begins the Jewish Thursday, and Thursday to Sunday could be counted as three days.

Conclusion

While the day of the crucifixion is debated, the day of the resurrection is absolutely clear: Scripture says that Jesus rose on the first day of the week. What’s more important than knowing the day of the week of Jesus’ death is believing that He did die and that He rose from the dead. Equally important is why He died—to take the punishment that all sinners deserve. Jesus is truly the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world John 1:29. Putting your trust in Him results in eternal life John 3:16, 36! This is true whether He was crucified on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.Let’s go!

Easter Series #7 – What is Holy Saturday?

The events and meanings that took place in this Holy Saturday passage are some of the most important events and meanings in God‘s perfect plan.

Sometimes, when something is explained well, it’s just right to pass it along as is.
“Got Questions” is one such time.   Go to: gotquestions.org for more.

Holy Saturday is the name given to the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Some Christians recognize Holy Saturday, the seventh day of Holy Week, as the day on which Jesus “rested” from His work of providing salvation. As Jesus died, He called out, “It is finished!” There was no further price to pay; sin had been atoned for.

After His crucifixion, Jesus was laid in a nearby tomb, and His body remained there the entirety of Holy Saturday, Matthew 27:59-60; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53-54; John 19:39-42. 

Churches that celebrate Holy Saturday traditionally do so by observing a day of somber reflection as they contemplate the world of darkness that would exist without the hope of Christ’s resurrection.

Indeed, without the resurrection of Christ, we would be in dire straits. If Christ had never been raised, “your faith is futile; you are still in your sins”, 1 Corinthians 15:17. 

The disciples had scattered when Jesus was arrested, Mark 14:50 and they spent the first Holy Saturday hiding for fear of also being arrested John 20:19. 

The day between Christ’s crucifixion and His resurrection would have been a time of grief and shock as the stunned disciples tried to understand the murder of Jesus, the betrayal of Judas, and the dashing of their hopes.

The only biblical reference to what happened on Holy Saturday is found in Matthew 27:62-66. 

After sundown on Friday—the day of Preparation—the chief priests and Pharisees visited Pontius Pilate. This visit was on the Sabbath, since the Jews reckoned a day as starting at sundown. They asked Pilate for a guard for Jesus’ tomb. 

They remembered Jesus saying that He would rise again in three days John 2:19-21 and wanted to do everything they could to prevent that. 

As we know, the Roman guards were inadequate to prevent the resurrection, and the women who returned to the tomb Sunday morning found it empty. The Lord had risen.

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.Let’s go!